Charlemont native finishes Marathon, beats fundraising goal

BOSTON — Even before she took her first step in the Boston Marathon Monday morning in Hopkinton, Charlemont native Erinn (Rancourt) Fleming not only met — but beat her $10,000 fundraising goal for the Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF), which raises money for people with cancer and their families.

Last year, as director of events and marketing at The Forum bar and restaurant, Fleming was getting ready for a JAF Team Marathon party when the Boylston Street restaurant became “ground zero” for the second of the two bombs which killed three people and injured at least 260. As she watched the restaurant transform from party center to refuge, to triage center, with the restaurant linens going to use as bandages for the wounded, she started running “with a purpose” last April, she said.

Her purpose was fulfilled.

On Monday, Fleming, at age 40, ran her first marathon, raising $11,424 for the Andruzzi Foundation and did it in 6 hours, 1 minute, according to the Boston Athletic Association website.

Fleming could not be reached for comment Monday night on her phone.

A co-worker at The Forum, were Fleming works, said Fleming was taking an ice bath after finishing her run, close to 6 p.m. Monday night.